VCAM 06

Chapter 6

The “Two” Who Returned to the Academy, and the Heroine’s Gaze

That evening, after returning from the royal palace—

Kai and Lutia walked through the gates of Roselia Royal Academy of Magic, wrapped in stares as though they were intruders.

“…That’s the teacher who was granted the title of Magus Official by the king’s decree…”
“He’s walking side by side in a carriage with the duke’s daughter… could they really be dating…?”
“No, but it’s true—the crown prince was the one who broke off the engagement first… that wasn’t a rumor after all?”

(Uwah… these stares are piercing. Just like that, I’ve become a celebrity in the academy.)

Until recently, Kai had only been known as “that weird Kansai-accented teacher.”
Now he was branded as the foreigner teacher rumored to be in love with a noble’s daughter, and the man who solved the kingdom’s hardest magical theory.

“…Honestly, I can’t relax. I don’t like this kind of attention.”

“Get used to it. Sooner or later, it’ll die down—whether you want it to or not.”

Lutia walked calmly, though with a faintly proud air about her.
Her lips were pressed together tightly, but the soft flush on her cheeks gave her away.

(…This girl’s happy. About me, at least a little…)

The next morning.

When Kai entered the classroom, the atmosphere was completely different.

The noble students who were already seated didn’t hurl insults.
On the contrary, they sat upright, lined up in neat posture.

“G-good morning, Professor Kai…!”
“H-hello! Please teach us the continuation of yesterday’s interference model!”

(Oho!? What’s with this sudden flood of polite speech!?)

Once class began, the change grew even clearer.

Every student frantically scribbled down the “magical equations” Kai drew on the board.
What had once been mocked as “pointless math explanations” was now treated as cutting-edge magical theory. Their eyes shone with excitement.

“Up until now, people said the flow of mana was all about ‘instinct’ or ‘talent.’
But really, it follows ‘laws.’ Which means—it’s reproducible.”

“If you derive it with formulas, even someone with weak mana can use it, as long as they understand the structure. …And that’s what I want to teach here.”

From the corner of the classroom, a boy—once known for never succeeding at magic—quietly raised his hand.

“S-sensei… um, could I try using the formula you showed me yesterday…?”

“Go ahead. Relax. Take it slow.”

The boy, hands trembling, began the incantation.

Particles of light gathered faintly into his palm, forming a soft glowing sphere.

“…! I-I did it… I really did it…!”

Applause filled the room.

Kai smiled.

“See? Didn’t I tell y’all? ‘Magic is something anyone can use—depending on how you think about it.’”

Later that day, in the hallway—

A girl with soft brown hair and gentle eyes called out to him.

Filia Estrea.
The “true heroine” of this world.

“Professor Kai… um, could I talk to you for a bit?”

“Oh, Lady Filia. What’s up?”

“Well… I’ve actually been secretly sitting in the back of your classes. And… math, it’s so mysterious—and kind of fun.”

“That makes me happy to hear. More and more students are getting interested lately. Some even say the Kansai dialect makes it easier to remember things…”

Filia blushed and smiled faintly.

“And also… Professor, you always look at your students with such kind eyes. I… I really like that.”

“…Huh?”

“Ah! N-no, I didn’t mean it like that! S-sorry! Please excuse me!”

Flustered, Filia ran off.

Kai stood frozen for a moment before letting out a wry smile.

(…Right. She was the ‘heroine’ in the game, wasn’t she.)

But—
It seemed the “original protagonist” had already started walking a very different path.

Meanwhile.

By the window of the library, Lutia von Wallenstein sat with a book open before her.

But she hadn’t turned a single page.

(…What’s with that man lately? Suddenly getting all this attention, even from girls…)

(But when I see his face while he’s teaching, all enthusiastic like that… Ugh, it irritates me. …Or maybe… am I jealous? Uuuu…)

Her cheeks burned red as she hid her face in her hands.

Her personal maid spoke softly.

“My lady, your expression has grown gentler lately.”

“Wha!? N-no it hasn’t! If it seems that way, it’s just because… I’m training myself to play the role of his lover, that’s all!”

(…Who am I even trying to fool!)

With their return from the palace, the academy had begun to move forward once more.
Neither students nor teachers saw “that teacher” as just some “foreigner” anymore.

And—
The heroine, Filia, had begun to clearly set her gaze upon Kai Cross.

But the fact that he was no mere mob character… was still something only a few had realized.